David Joseph of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Arrested for Identity Theft

David Joseph of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was arrested Friday for allegedly using stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns, news sources report. Joseph, 27, was booked into police custody on charges of filing false tax returns, identity theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. It is unclear whether Joseph qualified for bail bond. It is also not yet known whether Joseph has hired a defense lawyer.

It is currently unclear how long detectives had been investigating Joseph, but according to reports, police searched Joseph’s West Park residence on April 25. During that search, detectives reportedly located documents containing information on thousands of people, including social security numbers and birth dates. Detectives also found medical printouts, IRS documents, prepaid debit cards, bank papers, and notebooks. In addition, detectives found a loaded 9mm handgun with extra rounds, which sources say belonged to Joseph.

If found guilty on the charge of filing fraudulent tax returns, Joseph could face up to 10 years behind bars. The firearm possession could also net a 10-year sentence since Joseph has already been convicted of a felony, sources say.

In other news, Alicia Helene Anderson of West Boca was arrested this past week for allegedly stealing three vacuum cleaners from Kohl’s and selling them to a local pawn shop, reports say. Anderson, 22, was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on charges of dealing in stolen property and theft. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Reports say this is not Anderson’s first arrest. She has previously been charged with several counts of burglary and a count of cocaine possession. The arrests date as far back as 2004. It is unclear whether Anderson had been found guilty on any of those charges.

According to reports, the theft occurred at a Kohl’s department store location in Coconut Creek. On December 17, Anderson allegedly went into the Kohl’s, picked up a $700 Dyson vacuum cleaner, and left without paying. The store’s security staff reported the theft later that day. Anderson allegedly took the cleaner to Boca Pawn & Jewelry and sold it for $200.

About a week later, reports say Anderson returned to the store and stole two more Dyson vacuums, one valued at $675, the other at $600. ] Anderson reportedly took one of the stolen cleaners to Boca Pawn & Jewelry and sold it; she returned to the pawnshop a couple hours later and sold the other cleaner, sources indicate.
Detectives working on the case used thumbprints taken from the vacuum cleaners sold to the pawn shop and compared prints stored in their database. The search came back showing Anderson as a match. Authorities tracked her down to her home in Marina Way and placed her under arrest.

Police made busts in a larger theft operation targeting vacuum cleaners in 2010, reports say. Detectives in Florida cracked open a massive theft ring that had stolen over $100,000 worth of Dyson vacuum cleaners. The investigation concluded on September 24, 2010 and resulted in the arrest of three individuals accused of stealing the vacuum cleaners.